In what could very well be his swan song in Formula 1, an emotional Daniel Ricciardo soaked in the atmosphere in Singapore like a man who might have just completed his final race. Yet, if this was indeed his farewell, he bowed out with flair. The well-loved Australian driver, an eight-time Grand Prix winner, is widely expected to be replaced by his RB team ahead of the next race in Austin, and his words post-race carried the weight of a man resigned to the end of his F1 journey.
Ricciardo lingered in his car for an extended period after finishing 18th on Sunday, later confessing to being overwhelmed. “A myriad of emotions. I’m fully aware this might be it. Completely spent after the race, it just hit me all at once—emotion, exhaustion, and everything in between. I just wanted to soak in the moment,” he admitted.
There was also a sense of quiet pride in the 35-year-old’s voice, as he delivered one final flash of brilliance—clocking the fastest lap of the race. Fans, ever fond of their hero, acknowledged his performance by awarding him the “Driver of the Day.” Even his former Red Bull teammate, Max Verstappen, appreciated Ricciardo’s contribution, thanking him over the team radio for snatching the fastest-lap point from Lando Norris, Verstappen’s title rival and the day’s race victor. This solitary point could prove pivotal in Verstappen’s bid for the championship.
“If Max clinches the title by a single point, I think I’ve earned myself a stellar Christmas gift,” Ricciardo quipped during his interview with Sky Sports. Verstappen, ever jovial, responded, “He can ask for whatever he desires.”
Verstappen, who partnered with Ricciardo at Red Bull from 2016 to 2018, sounded wistful as well, sharing what felt like a heartfelt F1 goodbye: “He will always be remembered not just as an exceptional driver but as a wonderful person with an amazing character. It’s hard to find anyone who dislikes him. In a few years, when we’re no longer racing, we’ll sit down over a beer and reminisce about the good old days.”
Ricciardo, who is set to be succeeded by New Zealand reserve Liam Lawson, reflected on the potential farewell with a tinge of melancholy: “If this is it, then I suppose this is my ‘adios’. I’m not entirely sure what’s next, though I have a pretty clear idea.”
His team wasn’t exactly denying the speculation either. An RB spokesperson subtly hinted, “If this was indeed his final race, we wanted him to exit on a high note.”
Ricciardo’s journey in recent years has been far from smooth. After leaving Red Bull for McLaren, he struggled to find his form and was eventually sidelined in favor of young sensation Oscar Piastri. This season, he has found himself outpaced by RB teammate Yuki Tsunoda.
“I’ve always said I didn’t want to come back just to fill a seat—I wanted to fight at the front and rediscover my rhythm with Red Bull,” Ricciardo reflected. “That vision didn’t materialize. I also need to ask myself—what more can I achieve? Is there anything left worth pursuing?”
Though the fairy-tale conclusion eluded him, Ricciardo remained introspective: “I gave it everything, and while the perfect ending didn’t come, I can’t ignore the journey. It’s been 13 incredible years, and for that, I’m proud.”
